David Oyelowo stars in the quirky comedy Government Cheese as Hampton Chambers, a newly released ex-con whose long-awaited family reunion doesn’t quite go as he hoped. In his absence, Hampton’s wife and sons formed an unconventional family unit, and his return spins their world into chaos. For series co-creator Paul Hunter, bringing the Chambers family to life was easy because he based them on his own. Oyelowo and Hunter created this playlist as a soundtrack for Hampton, Astoria, their two teenage sons, and their life as an everyday Black American family defying expectations in sunny ’60s Southern California. “This playlist represents a blend of my childhood,” Hunter tells Apple Music. “My dad [Hampton] was from the Oakland Bay Area and played a lot of jazz and funk. My mom [Astoria] was from the San Fernando Valley and played a mixture of classic rock, psychedelic funk, and gospel. So, what you’re hearing is this eclectic mix of music that reflects my world, the world of Government Cheese.” Read about the tracks that inspired both men below, and if you hear something you like, add it to your library. And don’t miss Government Cheese—now streaming on Apple TV+. Roy Ayers Ubiquity, “We Live in Brooklyn, Baby” David: “I decided to have a particular walk as Hampton Chambers. ‘We Live in Brooklyn, Baby’ is probably what’s playing in Hampton’s head as he walks.” Ohio Players, “Ecstasy” Paul: “This track came to mind when thinking about how Astoria met Hampton at a house party. She liked his gold tooth, and he liked everything about her.” Quincy Jones, “Summer in the City” David: “‘Summer in the City’ is just a stone-cold classic, and there’s not much more to say about probably the best usage of a keyboard ever!” Brigitte Bardot, “La Madrague” Paul: “‘La Madrague’ would be the soundtrack to a daydream Hampton has of taking his wife to Paris for a romantic getaway. It would never happen because there’d always be a get-rich-quick scheme to invest in.” Elton John, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” Paul: “My mom would play piano alongside this Elton track, and she introduced me to all types of music. Taught me that music can take you anywhere. I tried to show that spirit of limitlessness in Harrison and Einstein.” Ramsey Lewis, “Sun Goddess” Paul: “‘Sun Goddess’ was the soundtrack of my dad’s ’65 Impala. We’d cruise down Foothill Blvd. in Pacoima on warm summer nights, windows down, music up, and stopping at a taco stand for a burrito. This track was summer.” N.E.R.D, “Run to the Sun” David: “One of the best signs that we were doing something right with Government Cheese was when Pharrell Williams chose to contribute music to our show once he saw some of it, and ‘Run to the Sun’ illustrates how his vibe is a perfect match for the tone of our show.”